Hi, just joined. Had many inflatables over the years, all makes shapes and sizes. Managed to get a FUTURA mk11 c at the end of last summer with a Tohatsu 40c with 3 hrs use!! The guy used it twice and I think it scared him!. The boat is obviously in 'new' condition and was very excited to get it as this was what I always wanted, but never managed to get hold of.

Took it out once last year, and even though it handled great, zipped on to the plane, I was a little dissapointed with top end speed. I thought these were supposed to fly!! Didn't seem much quicker than a previous non-futura zodiac with a simular set up. It is set up on tiller so hardly any weight is in the boat ,and maybe one adult and one child.
The engine did not seem to have to work very hard, it has a standard 11" prop, so I am wondering if I should up this a bit to maybe a 13"? Obviously accelaration is not a problem, just want a little more top end.
Any advice anybody has would be greatly appriciated. Will post some pics next week, just set it all up ready for some great British weather !?!?!?!?

Hi, just joined. Had many inflatables over the years, all makes shapes and sizes. Managed to get a FUTURA mk11 c at the end of last summer with a Tohatsu 40c with 3 hrs use!! The guy used it twice and I think it scared him!. The boat is obviously in 'new' condition and was very excited to get it as this was what I always wanted, but never managed to get hold of.

Took it out once last year, and even though it handled great, zipped on to the plane, I was a little dissapointed with top end speed. I thought these were supposed to fly!! Didn't seem much quicker than a previous non-futura zodiac with a simular set up. It is set up on tiller so hardly any weight is in the boat ,and maybe one adult and one child.
The engine did not seem to have to work very hard, it has a standard 11" prop, so I am wondering if I should up this a bit to maybe a 13"? Obviously accelaration is not a problem, just want a little more top end.
Any advice anybody has would be greatly appriciated. Will post some pics next week, just set it all up ready for some great British weather !?!?!?!?

What are you getting for top speed?

What year setup is it?

I hear you on the prior owner being scared... I think the woman who had mine prior to me, had the same issue...

I may be mistaken, but thought the Futura MKII C all came with the console steering, Alum floor, etc.

Do you have any pictures of your Futura?

Welcome from another fairly new guy.... this forum has been quite helpful to me, much great advice.

Thanks for the quick reply. This set up come with no seats, wouldn't mind some actually. Not sure of excact top speed, haven't used gps yet, but just thought it would be quicker. Like I said have owned quite a few setups, maybe expecting to much. Any advice from any one with a similar setup would be appreciated. Will add some photos next week, hopefully getting out the Weekend

I have been to my local marine supply store yesterday (West Marine) I asked about Smart Tabs for my Zodiac Futura MarkIIc, they weren't familiar with my model but had (2) versions of these tabs in stock.. a stainless model and composite plastic version "SX".

My goal, and reason for looking into these tabs: I would like to eliminate the porposing at lower speed, bring the bow down on plane a bit more, and plane at a lower speed.

My concerns are:
1. The available room that I have to accomodate Smart Tabs, see photo's dimensioned.

2. With the speed tube in this area, projecting downward from the hull 4.5" and being 6.5" wide. What effect would this have on the Smart Tab functionality? ____________

(I don't have the room really to bring the battery & fuel tank towards the bow to help balance the load.)

I run the stainless smart tabs. They do have to have sacrificial anodes on them when run in salt water. The new plastic models might be an improvement, but I have no direct experience with them. I understand that it is a pain to move weight forward in the boat. But that is a big part of getting the Futura to pop on a plane and not have much bow rise, particularly when using an engine near the max rating. The smart tabs will help. Do the speed tubes reduce their effectiveness? Heck if I know! They don't come off so I can't say what effect they have. If I leave my tabs in the up position and start off I instantly notice the difference, so I can confidently say that they do work with speed tubes. Recognize that the tabs are all the way down when going slow. They automatically adjust up at higher speeds. The turbulent water flow maxes out off the speed tubes when you are going fast, at slow speeds it isn't significant. I didn't have a lot of trouble with the room on the transom, but I am running a MK11 so it is a bit bigger. The little metal stud or flat mushroom on your transom is for using a set of Zodiac launching wheels. My boat and motor are too big and heavy for that sort of launch. If the wheel mount is in the way you could remove it and fill the hole, but it is up higher than you will want to install the tab. My boat was bought used and has had all sorts of stuff installed on the transom in previous times. Lots of holes for stuff like a livewell pump. I sealed them up and it isn't a big deal. The first hole you drill into your clean transom may concern you, but you'll get over it.

My concerns are:
1. The available room that I have to accomodate Smart Tabs, see photo's dimensioned.

The stainless studs on the transom are for mounting the Zodiac stainless launching wheels (very useful for beach launching and landing) . The rear wheels double up as the wheels for the Zodiac outboard trolley. A picture is attached of my old 1996 Futura with 30hp Yamaha with the front and rear wheels attached, also a picture of the 50hp Yammy I have on my new 2008 Futura.

Nice looking boat.. can you still get hold of the launching wheels for the older futura ive just picked my up and would not mind getting a pair for my rig . also im trying to remove the numbers and the name that have been painted on the boat dose any one have any tips for how to do this...

Nice looking boat.. can you still get hold of the launching wheels for the older futura ive just picked my up and would not mind getting a pair for my rig . also im trying to remove the numbers that have been painted on the boat dose any one have any tips for how to do this...

I run the stainless smart tabs. They do have to have sacrificial anodes on them when run in salt water. The new plastic models might be an improvement, but I have no direct experience with them. I understand that it is a pain to move weight forward in the boat. But that is a big part of getting the Futura to pop on a plane and not have much bow rise, particularly when using an engine near the max rating. The smart tabs will help. Do the speed tubes reduce their effectiveness? Heck if I know! They don't come off so I can't say what effect they have. If I leave my tabs in the up position and start off I instantly notice the difference, so I can confidently say that they do work with speed tubes. Recognize that the tabs are all the way down when going slow. They automatically adjust up at higher speeds. The turbulent water flow maxes out off the speed tubes when you are going fast, at slow speeds it isn't significant. I didn't have a lot of trouble with the room on the transom, but I am running a MK11 so it is a bit bigger. The little metal stud or flat mushroom on your transom is for using a set of Zodiac launching wheels. My boat and motor are too big and heavy for that sort of launch. If the wheel mount is in the way you could remove it and fill the hole, but it is up higher than you will want to install the tab. My boat was bought used and has had all sorts of stuff installed on the transom in previous times. Lots of holes for stuff like a livewell pump. I sealed them up and it isn't a big deal. The first hole you drill into your clean transom may concern you, but you'll get over it.

OK... I spoke to the Smart Tabs - Nauticus Inc. (www.nauticusinc.com) upon sedning them my dimensioned photo's, boat info, approx. weight I am dealing with including myself adding to the heavy stern... they told me to get the "ST980-30" Smart Tab.

I can get them here locally for $159.99, or Online for $126 delivered.

My concerns are:
When trailering, my bunks are a bit long, will they rotate up as they ride up on the bunk?

Can I now tie down the stern using the outboard instead of the tiedown eyebolts on the transom?